Hi friends, things are moving forward!

Don’t you just feel it? Feel that a new year has begun and now a new season is already here? Do you feel the joy of new beginnings, life springing up and excitement of changes to come? Are your feet also with that anxious desire of getting out again, setting your feet on the move and walking the land we’ve so much longed and prayed for during all this time? Crying out to be present in his moving work there, not just virtually anymore but face to face? We are, we feel it and our feet are feeling it too!

There is that small sign of life coming out from the ground after a rough winter. Remember the frozen river back home in Asia? Winter has passed and even though there are still vestiges of it, finally new stones can be set making a path slowly one by one to walk through. Well, that is just one small place from where our heart is writing to you today.

Once again, we are very excited about sending a word out to you and if the sense of new and good things happening around the whole world isn’t just what you are experiencing, we pray that our short update and God’s unchanging truth spring up joy and hope in your life today.

What has happened since our last update?

This January we received the marvelous news that Israel had passed his HSK-4 Chinese Proficiency Test and in February he completed the full language program offered by the Confucius Institute at the University of Chihuahua.
At the beginning of March, we both successfully completed and obtained our TEFL course certification. (Teaching English as Foreign Language).
In February Israel made an adventurous trip across the USA border so he could renew his Mexican passport and get updated documentation for the opening of a business in NE Asia with a 10-year expiration date just in case of more surprises. Thankfully this paperwork once again is almost legalized by the Chinese embassy and ready to be used.
Finally, and most exciting update is that a work visa opportunity has now opened up for our family. Even better is that we are no longer looking into the possibility of returning alone back to our very missed country in Asia, but the beginnings of forming an international-local team is taking place!

March 26, 2021 .- Our first call together. Praying that God will guide us in this new season of our journeys following Him. Mexico-Argentina-Asia/Ch.

March 27, 2021 .- 快递来了! ... Our package has arrived! Trial run for importing goods from Asia. — March 27, 2021 .- 快递来了! ... Our package has arrived!
Trial run for importing goods from Asia.

How are we moving forward today?

We have finally made our first small import of goods from Asia into Mexico as a trial run for this process. As days keep passing God has allowed us to make meaningful connections to establish a legitimate trading and consulting business there. It is important to recognize that the space for improvisation is becoming smaller as the world and the situations in it keep changing day by day.
After weeks of sitting with the Lord and asking him for guidance and peace in the decision making of our next steps, we are excited to share that we’ve accepted the invitation to move into the heart of commercial and trading area in SE Asia, named Guangzhou. This invitation is just the beginning of various prayer requests being answered and a result of our Father’s previous connections with like-minded national friends that have a passion and desire to reach out and empower their people as they see a greater hunger and thirst in their hearts.
This invitation comes in a very special moment due to the not very optimistic possibilities and opportunities for foreigners to return yet to the previous city where we lived. Therefore, we believe God is guiding us in this path. He is stepping stones little by little as he knows the heart that he has given us for NE Asia.

April 1st, 2021 .- Maundy Thursday. A family night walk recalling the events and Jesus' words a day like that. We took the boys to a big park and brought some flashlights so that after our time together reflecting on that day they could play in the dark (something not done before in a big and open space). Well, guess what? It is not much fun playing with flashlights where there is another light source. This park we went to is right in the center of the city. This comment from the boys made us smile and think: "Yes, it makes lots of sense! If you have a light use it where there is no light."

How could pray for us during this month?

For the Lord’s guidance and wisdom as we move forward with this invitation into a new city and area.
For clarity in the next steps, open doors and patience during this time of preparation for a possible return to Asia before the end of this year.
For his favor with officials and agents as we initiate the Chinese visa process these coming days.
Safe traveling for our family at the end of this month and our Lord’s favor in a consulate interview for the renewal of Allen’s USA tourist visa.
We have been waiting for this appointment for months and once we have our son’s visa, we pray this can open up the possibility for the whole family to fly into the USA to set up all the final requirements needed to fly and enter Asia.
Another important consideration and final prayer request is our ministry funding support as we embark back to the place we have been called to.

As we take these steps forward, we realize that this is the beginning once again of another big step of faith of growing in trust in him, yet it’s another season of waiting and knowing that he is God we know his name will be exalted in everything.

We are very grateful to our Lord because since the beginning of this adventure of following him in faith, he has continued to provide everything that is needed through those who have faithfully supported us. At different times perhaps without realizing it, it’s been when we’ve needed the most. Thank you very much to all of you for the love and obedience of God's calling in your lives. Thank you for joining us in prayer as we wait and look forward to his work and steps to come.

We'd love to hear back from you. Be expecting more frequent updates about the advancing of this exciting journey!

We love and pray for you,

The Corral’s